Zuckerberg stiffs Rome waiter on honeymoon
Facebook’s $20 billion dollar man probably didn’t get rich by being overly generous.
Now, Mark Zuckerberg’s penurious ways are attracting the attention of at least one Rome waiter, who received no tip from the Facebook founder.
Zuckerberg is in Italy on his honeymoon. He married longtime girlfriend Priscilla Chan in his back yard the day after the social media giant’s company went public, making him and many of his employees some of the richest people on Earth.
London Telegraph reporter Nick Squires reports Zuckerberg and Chan really like artichokes. While honeymooning Monday, they dined on deep-fried artichokes, fried pumpkin flowers and ravioli stuffed with sea bass and more artichokes. The total bill – about $40. The tip? Zero.
Waiters at the “service included” restaurant Nonna Betta were “amazed” they didn’t at least get a Like, a Poke or even a friend request from Chan’s dog Beast.
Word is the happy couple also didn’t tip the night before after eating pizza.
This kind of news could make Italian waiters as depressed as Facebook’s stock.
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158 comments Add your comment
savarin
May 29th, 2012
12:36 pm
First
what???
May 29th, 2012
1:15 pm
maybe the service stunk. a tip is a little somethig extra. before all you servers jump on me, know this- i know about serving, and unless the service is awful i always leave a minimum of 10%. most times, i leave 15, sometimes 20%. but if the service stinks, no tippie! ce la vie!
what???
May 29th, 2012
1:15 pm
second
what???
May 29th, 2012
1:15 pm
third
@urethrafranklyn
May 29th, 2012
1:17 pm
If he was dining in the U.S., I would think this was really a punk move. However, unlike American servers whose income is based entirely on tips, European servers are paid an hourly wage and tips are just an extra bonus and are not expected (but appreciated).
Nevertheless, the guy is a fricking billionaire, so no matter where this was, it’s a punk move.
Me
May 29th, 2012
1:17 pm
Really? It’s a story that he didn’t tip at a service-included restaurant??? The service was included…
SAWB
May 29th, 2012
1:18 pm
Doesn’t this guy have a history of unethical behavior? I was under the impression that he stole the idea for his company from someone and then tricked them into signing away the rights. Maybe some Italian cab driver will teach this snot nosed punk some manners.
Bryan
May 29th, 2012
1:18 pm
It is not customary to tip in most European countries. Hence, “service included.”
Uncle Thomas
May 29th, 2012
1:21 pm
Artichokes? Pumpkin flowers? >>gag reflex in working order
Truth
May 29th, 2012
1:24 pm
Exactly Bryan
In some areas in Europe, tipping is considered a display of condescending American excess. Even though you may not intend to convey the message, basically what they think you are saying is “Here you go, I have more money than you and I am giving it to you since you need it.”
Jacob
May 29th, 2012
1:24 pm
Sorry but there’s a big difference between tip and service. I’ve lived there for years and even locals tip. The service included is a service fee, it goes to the restaurant owner to cover the wages of the workers, period. It is not a gratuity. And most intelligent people know the difference.
ummm
May 29th, 2012
1:24 pm
typically you don’t tip in Europe – it is included in the bill.
Jacob
May 29th, 2012
1:25 pm
Again, the tip IS NOT included in the bill. A SERVICE FEE is included, a tip is a tip is a tip.
Rob
May 29th, 2012
1:26 pm
Do you think Europeans are good tippers??? I think not. I used to drive a courtesy car for a hotel in Augusta during the Masters golf tournament and the Europeans were the WORST for tipping or being polite. Just because he is one of the richest people on the planet, does not mean that he should be expected to tip more than anyone else.
Gracie
May 29th, 2012
1:26 pm
How many people in the US would add extra onto a bill if it stated that “gratuity was already included” (which it often does in large parties or particular restaurants)? Why are we commenting on the Zuckerburgs not tipping if the restaurant bill already had “service included”? I don’t expect him to have to pay more for the identical car that I would buy just because he has more money to spend…why would I expect him to pay more for a meal where the tip is already included?
Mishap
May 29th, 2012
1:26 pm
If the waiters want a tip, maybe they should work at a restaurant where the service charge isn’t included. One doesn’t become a billionaire by giving away inordinate amounts of money for something they’ve already paid for.
jc
May 29th, 2012
1:27 pm
his wife is ugly
Browncoat
May 29th, 2012
1:28 pm
In Europe, the “tip” is included in the price of the food. You only tip extra for exceptional service.
Jacob
May 29th, 2012
1:28 pm
Truth…. OVERTIPPING is what you’re talking about. Regular tipping is not understood as being typical Americans being condescending.
Jacob
May 29th, 2012
1:30 pm
Browncoat: tipping is not built in to the price of the food, get real.
Jacob
May 29th, 2012
1:35 pm
Gracie: there’s not a single place in Europe as far as cafe’s or restaurants are concerned where “gratuity included” is stated. Whether its on the bottom of a menu, a bill or a specials board. They don’t use those terms. SERVICE included, yes, but GRATIITY included? Not in a million years. And for some who think the waiters should work at a place where “service is not included on the bill”, well those who say that obviously have never ventured outside of the States or have been to Europe. There’s not a place to eat in all of Europe where “service is not included” exists.
Jacob
May 29th, 2012
1:39 pm
Mishap: the only reason he became a billionaire is that he stole others ideas and work then screwed them out of the company they agreed to form. And then he sold a majority of his share at an overinflated price to unwitting people and btw, he had his people hide the real figures (declining numbers) from the average investor. THATs how he became a billionaire. Typical thieving slug. And a cheapo too.
Heinrick Stein
May 29th, 2012
1:40 pm
I heard he actually DID give the waiter a good tip…”DON’T buy Facebook stock. So he should quit whining.
Jacob
May 29th, 2012
1:47 pm
Heinrick: Good one!!!
Steve Jobs' Ghost
May 29th, 2012
1:50 pm
Zuckerburg didn’t steal anyone’s ideas. He took an idea that was being developed in by a number of different entities, improved the idea and worked his ass off until he beat out the competition. Anyone ever heard of Myspace? Basically that same thing and totally wiped off the face of the Internet by falling behind the curve as facebook continually evolved and improved it’s product. Bravo Zucks, screw those Italians. I believe whining is a national pasttime in Italy.
Kyunmin Cho
May 29th, 2012
1:51 pm
This was the second time Zuck ate “pumpkin flower.” He also ate “pumpkin flower” honeymoon night while consumating the marriage.
Ladeef
May 29th, 2012
1:52 pm
Hey George, seems like this may be “News to You” also: You don’t tip in Europe.
Ronzul
May 29th, 2012
1:59 pm
Tip is included in most places in Europe. After the 2 weeks my wife and I spent in Rome last summer I can honestly say most places service didn’t warrant a tip. We still laugh about paying $14 euros per diet coke at dinner. Of course we’re big ballers & had 2 diet cokes apiece so we spent around $87.00 us on 4 bottles of diet coke at dinner!! No wonder Europe is broke w zero solutions to save itself from going belly up. Sad but true. I didn’t leave a tip on this meal either. Figured the wait staff could work that out that colon cleansing with the owner. What a friken joke….
Jacob's an Idiot
May 29th, 2012
2:00 pm
You don’t tip in Europe. And yes, I’ve spent time in several countries throughout Europe. They don’t even give you change to tip after paying unlike here where all your change is in ones.
Service Charge=Wages=Tips: Semantics
Ronzul
May 29th, 2012
2:02 pm
The Zucker has yellow fever!!?? I love it!! Fresh Fish!!
Erik
May 29th, 2012
2:15 pm
I dislike this guy but I’m going to stick up for him here. The service was included. Is this a tabloid?
Al
May 29th, 2012
2:16 pm
Have many of you even visited Europe before? Tipping isn’t customary there as it is in the US. There’s nothing offensive about what he did. Maybe the expectation that he would leave a tip because he’s a billionaire is the truly offensive part!
Erik
May 29th, 2012
2:20 pm
For the clown Jacob ripping everybody b/c they don’t know how the terms “service” and “tip” are used in Europe…does this mean that we’re supposed to pay the server’s wage (service) AND give them a tip? We don’t do that here.
RK
May 29th, 2012
2:23 pm
This is perfectly acceptable. It’s sad that someone thinks this is news.
Cram
May 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
And the celebrity worshippers in Atlanta ate it all up.
Glenn
May 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
Dude owned him what 5 dollars ? He probably felt weird asking Mario to break a twenty . Not to mention the company is now below 100 billion .
Pam
May 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
I am traveling to Italy next week and all the reading I have done states that tips should not be given to waiters in restaurants.
CJ
May 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
Maybe they forgot?
Harry Doyle
May 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
Mark Zuckerberg should be taking your order at Wendy’s, not rolling around naked in Billion$ in cash.
What clown would invest in a company which primary revenue stream is secretly selling the personal data of its “customers” to the highest bidder?
(or Big Brother?)
Harry Doyle
May 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
“All your good [tipping sense] is going out the end of your [thing], Boy!”
- Paul “Bear” Bryant
Jonathan
May 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
True to his form….look how “happy” his wife looks………what a d__I__C__K!
cp
May 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
Zuckerberg is idiot. he can hand out a hundred bill to everyone he ever meets and it wouldn’t dent his fortune. Additionally, it would be worth a hundy to keep these stories from making you sound like a tool.
Player Hater
May 29th, 2012
2:31 pm
Tipping is beyond out of control in the states, so it’s no wonder this made “headline” news.
JMorr
May 29th, 2012
2:32 pm
What idiot writer submitted this story in the first place? There’s limited tipping in Europe due to people there get appropriate salaries, unlike here in the U.S. They also get paid vacations and cannot be fired at the drop of a hat, FYI. If you want to criticize something, look within our own borders and pick something worth addressing.
urban redneck
May 29th, 2012
2:33 pm
“first” is dumb, and so am I for wasting my time reading this……….
maryum webster
May 29th, 2012
2:35 pm
i’m more concerned with the fact that george used the word “penurious” in this story…..that just leaves us all……well……..abash!
hmmmm.........
May 29th, 2012
2:37 pm
Everyone should wait tables at least once in their life
Patriot
May 29th, 2012
2:38 pm
So, when are we burning him at the stake for not leaving a tip? I’ve got my pitchfork ready.
Patriot
May 29th, 2012
2:41 pm
Wait…am I the only one amused that the title of this pathetic blog is “News to Me”?!?!?!
the IRONY!
Happy for Pappy
May 29th, 2012
2:42 pm
Does this mean Zuckerberg might be eligible to have his own show on TBS or BET soon?
George Mathis
May 29th, 2012
2:42 pm
They don’t customarily tip in Europe? “News to Me”.
Chode McBlob
May 29th, 2012
2:44 pm
“Service Included” means you don’t have to tip.
cold hard truth
May 29th, 2012
2:45 pm
JMORR….you sir…..are a sanctimonious know it all. how about we address your rotten attitude. if you don’t like it here, leave! there, that was worth it…..
Kenny
May 29th, 2012
2:45 pm
I book cars from LaGuardi when I travel to NY. I do so online and add in a tip, usually 20-25%, right then and there. Still get a dirty look when we get to hotel that I don’t tip more. So, bottom line, don’t add tip online. Just do it when you arrive. As for service included. That’s what it means.
Victoria
May 29th, 2012
2:48 pm
Not defending him, but my husband and went to Italy on our honeymoon. During our first stop in Rome, we were tipping 20% on top of our bill (naive!!). We met some locals in Florence that about had a heart attack when we left our tip at a local restaurant. They told us to tip no more than 1 or 2 Euro – if we felt we needed to leave something. We were leaving 15 to 20 Euro tips all over Italy. No wonder when we came back through Rome to leave and went to the same restaurant they were hugging us like long lost family!!!!! And giving us free after dinner drinks!
ME
May 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
What’s the word I am looking for? Oh thats right “LOSER”!
Snake Plissken
May 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
Facebook stock’s down over 40 percent from its IPO, so I don’t blame him.
sue
May 29th, 2012
2:51 pm
“service included” restaurant means NO top required. THey pay their staff a living wage. US needs to do this.
RVO
May 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
I am American. When I was in Italy, I tipped my server as I would normally tip in America. The waiter very quickly followed me and handed me back the money explaining that it is not the custom to tip waiters in Italy. Tipping is not customary in all countries… and apparently it is not customary not in Italy according to the server who waited on me.
There is a whole world out there. Not everyone does things the same was we Americans do. We’re such an egocentric country… Geez.
oh well
May 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
wait staff choose to work at a resturaunt . why should i have to pay for my food and pay the staff ? don’t like low to no tips , go get a job that pays better without depending on the consumer to make up the difference .
Other People's Money
May 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
Ever notice the least charitable people are liberals?? Ala Joe Biden taxes reveal less that 2% or charitable giving, or Obummer less than 4% the year he was elected??
And now you have uber-liberal who swindled BILLIONS of $$$ with the Facebook IPO debacle that would make Madoff proud…..not even giving a single Euro to their wait staff.
….unbelieveable
orlandocajun
May 29th, 2012
3:01 pm
I’m guessing this is an example of the origin of referring to cheap a-holes as Jews.
creative
May 29th, 2012
3:02 pm
A billionaire who stole an idea from Myspace who stole the idea from Friendster. What do you expect? I am moving to Belize just to get away from people who talk about facebook and Iphone apps. Yes it can lead a man to become an expat. The sun never sets on the British Empire.
Johnny
May 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
Waiters in the US are crybabies with a huge sense of entitlement.. Don’t like your wages? Work somewhere else!
Don’t try to emotionally manipulate customers to contribute to “your salary” (guilt trip)
Your salary is a private negotiation between the restaurant and the waiter.
cold hard truth
May 29th, 2012
3:04 pm
oh…..oh johnny….say it again…….!!!!
i'm the "Other people".....
May 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
it’s my money…i’ll do as i please.
Wondering
May 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
I wished America would adopt the European way:not customary to tip in most European countries., “service included.” I belive that restuarants here in America should pay all waiters a decent wage so we will not feel pressure to tip and the waiters would not be dependent on the tips. Just sayin….
RAMZAD
May 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
Ever heard of anyone named “berg” anything or “berg” anything that would part with a dollar out of generosity. People get real. Have you ever received an iceberg lettuce for free?
Lady Georgia Georgia
May 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
“Service Included” means they already Tipped….get OVER it. Probably crappy service from those EYE-talyuns
WhatUpDawg
May 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
Those that are posting about tips are not expected in many European countries are absolutely correct. I have spent quite a bit of time in Switzeralnd and Italy. My first time there, I was paying in cash. I beleive that the bill was equivalent to about $125 US. I paid, the server retuned with my change. The service was impecable. I left $50 US as a tip. As I was leaving, my server retuned the money to me. I was told that the gratuity ws included (as in most European countries). Furthermore, not only was tipping not expected at this restaurant, but the service team was prohibited from accepting gratuities.
Johnny the Economist
May 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
Waiter hourly wages in the US are going lower and lower BECAUSE customers are leaving such big tips and the employer is using that fact to negotiate below minimum wage salaries.
Market rate of waiter hourly wages will only go up when customers stop tipping.. simple economics
Gianni
May 29th, 2012
3:20 pm
This from Rick Steve’s web site:
Source: Matteo Pasini, Hotel Villa Steno, Monterosso
In Italy you tip if you really like the place, the food and the service; if the waiter was very friendly for example. In US a waiter has a small salary, but just because he will have a lot of tips: tipping is necessary; in Italy no, the salary is good and the tip is something exceptional, so a guest can tip or not and normally only the 10/20 percent of guests tip. Giving a tip to the waiter or leaving it on the table it is up to you. Leaving it on the table is the standard. If you pay your bill by credit card remember to tip by cash, this will be very appreciated. A ten per cent tip in a restaurant is what you can consider a good tip.
Vince Doodley
May 29th, 2012
3:26 pm
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_1892.html
Tipping 101 in Europe. Easy reading.
Keon
May 29th, 2012
3:27 pm
I’m with some of the other guys… I thought it wasn’t expected in Europe….
Fred
May 29th, 2012
3:29 pm
I’ve been to that restaurant before. SERVICE SUCKS.
The Most Interesting Man in the World
May 29th, 2012
3:30 pm
FB stock is down 20%. Zuckerberg can’t afford the tip. Besides, he didn’t get rich giving money away~!
Chris
May 29th, 2012
3:31 pm
Ummm, Jacob, I was just in Italy in march 2012 in Florence and Rome and there are restaurants that I ate at where on the check it said “servicio incluso”. From all the guidebooks I read and Rick Steve’s it said you don’t have to tip and some places view it badly when you do. Also some Italians are mad at Americans for tipping when they go over because waiters are starting to “expect” it now. Like in the U.S. when it says “service included” that means the tip is included so that’s what they get instead of seeing if I tipped more or not.
Susan
May 29th, 2012
3:35 pm
That’s a shame that they are so darn tight with their money…the waiters should have spit in their food. In the future if any waiter/waitress wait on them they just might get a little humaniosity along with their food…if you catch my drift..hahahahahahahaha! That would serve this boring looking couple right.
It irritate the skin off my back when people like this is so darn cheap! They could have at least tipped their waiters 25%..give me a break! Cheap scapes!
I wait
May 29th, 2012
3:40 pm
Susan, I’m a struggling student who waits tables….will you come in and leave me 25% of your tab? average meal for two where i work is 75-100, without alcohol…..what, you can’t, you’re running short….why, it’s different when it’s your money…
Adolph
May 29th, 2012
3:43 pm
You expect a Jew to tip? You will see a gay-friendly night club in Iran before a jew pays one penny more than what is on the check.
j rev
May 29th, 2012
3:44 pm
Dear “oh well” and “johnny”
When you are next deciding on where to go out to eat, please just stay home. We don’t want your business.
Sincerely
Restaurant owners
pb
May 29th, 2012
3:53 pm
Even if tipping is included, which some on this blog say is not, he could have tipped some, being a billionaire. Maybe his wife told him not to. I have known some Asians who seem to be very cheap, and rude to service people. But doubt he and his wife are going to lose any sleep worrying about what the public thinks about this.
Happy for Pappy
May 29th, 2012
3:59 pm
If on his honeymoon, shouldn’t Zuckerberg have been “stiffing” his bride instead of some waiter?
Goss
May 29th, 2012
4:00 pm
Even if it’s a “service included” restaurant, this story will spread like wildfire through the hospitality community and he will be forever recognized as a bad tipper and will forever get crappy service as a result. Trust me, it happens. If there is no incentive to “go the extra mile”, the server won’t.
However, as a server myself, I think it was in extremely poor taste for the server to disclose the tip.
Jed
May 29th, 2012
4:01 pm
No one tips in Europe.
Oswald Bunch
May 29th, 2012
4:02 pm
Uncle Thomas probably only eats at O’Charley’s and Golden Coral. Artichokes are freaking delicious. Never had pumpkin flowers. But I can imagine they are quite yummy.
pb
May 29th, 2012
4:05 pm
Adolph,
Not very nice talk about Jews being cheap. I know a lot of Christians and other non- Jews who are cheap too. Just another stereotype…
Tia
May 29th, 2012
4:08 pm
So really…he got 2 bad servers 2 nights in a row. I’m sure he didn’t dine at less than 5*’s. Scrooge should have left a tip.(20%)..no matter the service. That’s why they think we are the “Ugly Americans”.
scottwo
May 29th, 2012
4:10 pm
it is a punk-a.. move!! what a dweeb.
Gram
May 29th, 2012
4:11 pm
Get real! There’s no steadfast rule about tipping. I’ve been a waitress/bartender, and I was paid an hourly wage. The tips were extra. You don’t HAVE to tip. It’s based on service…IF you want to show a waitperson your appreciation. Get off his back. Just because he has money doesn’t mean he has to tip.
Pembrooke
May 29th, 2012
4:14 pm
In other news, I was shocked I could not receive my customary Monday foie gras when I chose to dine at Taco Bell. Perhaps the Baltimore Sun could run an expose.
Texas Tea
May 29th, 2012
4:18 pm
This guy is a completely self absorbed fool. He thinks he is god’s gift to the world, and that he is intellectually superior to everyone. Too bad he waited too late to go public with Facebook stock, because now he will watch his fortune shrink like crazy. I’m estimating a $10 stock price by this time next year. Should have sold it before he allowed every average joe outside of college to sign up for an account. Sorry, but getting a kick out of watching the stock plummet, especially after seeing how he acquired Facebook and times like this story.
Ray
May 29th, 2012
4:20 pm
What a non-story. It amazes me that anyone cares what he ate or that he did or did not tip. Invasion of privicy has become to common for the rich and famous.
SA
May 29th, 2012
4:24 pm
I have lived in Europe and am currently in Europe on vacation. Never, ever has a European been offended because I tipped them. That is the stupidest thing I have every heard. And it does vary by country. In France, 10% is customary; Germany 1-5 Euro.
Zuckerberg leaving nothing was a douchebag thing to do.
Earl
May 29th, 2012
4:24 pm
why is everyone on here defending this cheap punk.. If I was the waiter I would of called him out on it. niplover
just sayin
May 29th, 2012
4:27 pm
He obviously a small tipper and small in the zipper. With all that money he could be slaying hotties. To stick with the Asian he obviously has a small one
Ghost
May 29th, 2012
4:32 pm
I just came back from Italy myself. In most restaurants there, service is included, so no tip necessary. He didn’t “stiff” the waiters of anything.
And I basically got robbed byt the waiter at a restaurant in Rome, so I’m actually supporting Zuckerberg in this instance.
uh huh
May 29th, 2012
4:33 pm
National news reports he also ate at McDonalds while in Italy. Sad.
Goes to show, money doesn’t buy class or taste.
We know he has intelligence. Not sure about common sense.
Maybe years of tunnel vision and narrow focus.
Ron Burgundy
May 29th, 2012
4:36 pm
Why does society get upset when dbags act like dbags?
uh huh
May 29th, 2012
4:36 pm
He helped bring this “instant info” garbage to the world….so he better accept every move being critiqued by somebody and be prepared to act accordingly proper in public.
Bubba
May 29th, 2012
4:36 pm
BREAKING NEWS ” JEW BOY STIFFS WAITER ON TIP”
missnadine
May 29th, 2012
4:37 pm
I was in Tokyo for business a while back. I took a shuttle bus from the hotel to the airport. I went to tip the driver and he was very offended. The same has been true in Europe. I wish other countries would go to the “service included” method of payment. It is a nuisance to see a tip jar everywhere I go. I was a waitress for many years during my college years. I always felt as if I was begging for money back then, and I hated it. While I do tip in the US, 20% or more, I really hate the system.
Ron Burgundy
May 29th, 2012
4:37 pm
Zuckerberg probably is saving his money as his stock is collapsing.
Ryan P
May 29th, 2012
4:38 pm
I don’t give tips if the service is bad.
CPG
May 29th, 2012
4:40 pm
“service included” means the tip is already built into the tab, no tipping required
md
May 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
Here’s a tip……don’t mention “service included” if one expects a tip.
I’m with him…..it’s tacky to expect one in a service included establishment, I don’t care how rich one might be.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
MeaneyMouse
May 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
HEYYYYY YOU DANGED WOODCHUCKS STOP CHUCKING MY WOOD!!
Arthur Cutten
May 29th, 2012
4:47 pm
“In some areas in Europe, tipping is considered a display of condescending American excess. Even though you may not intend to convey the message, basically what they think you are saying is “Here you go, I have more money than you and I am giving it to you since you need it.”
ROFLMAO
Service compris is considered the minimum. One would ordinarily leave an extra euro or two for good service. For a billionaire on his honeymoon to leave nothing is a bit odd. He might be considered a bit ‘tight.’ He could have gotten poor service.
No waiter I have ever met throughout Europe would EVER considered a generous tip for good service to be condescending.
Starquake7
May 29th, 2012
4:50 pm
With that kind of wealth (SERVICE INCLUDED OR NOT) he should have left a generous tip but his arrogence and jewishness got in the way. What do you expect.
KA
May 29th, 2012
4:56 pm
Bryan is correct, tipping in Europe is not expected or appreciated usually.
uga
May 29th, 2012
4:56 pm
The headline link says he “stiffed” the waiter, implying that he was supposed to pay him and didn’t. Given that this is not the case (perhaps he SHOULD have tipped him, although that is questionable at best, and in any event a matter of personal preference), this is borderline libelous. Not that he’d pursue something like this, but it still appears defamatory.
Johnny the Economist
May 29th, 2012
4:57 pm
Waiters in the US are crybabies with a huge sense of entitlement.. Don’t like your wages? Work somewhere else!
Don’t try to emotionally manipulate customers to contribute to “your salary” (guilt trip)
Your salary is a private negotiation between the restaurant and the waiter.
Waiter hourly wages in the US are going lower and lower BECAUSE customers are leaving such big tips and the employer is using that fact to negotiate below minimum wage salaries.
Market rate of waiter hourly wages will only go up when customers stop tipping.. simple economics
bean
May 29th, 2012
5:21 pm
betcha the place sucked… and if tip was included maybe that was all they deserved.. what a bunch of classless babies, I know too many people in the food industry who would never, ever speak out loud about a guest famous or not, it’s just not the proper thing to do
Jeff
May 29th, 2012
5:29 pm
Tipping is not the norm in Europe. Good service is expected. Unlike here where tipping is expected, and sometimes not earned. So why is this news? AJC run out of real news?
drooling stool
May 29th, 2012
5:34 pm
Susan: it’s “cheap skates”
Gotta go with previous posts – if service was included, then what’s the point of this article? Oh, that’s right: we Americans think we should tip for ehh-heh-hheverything! There’s a tip jar next to the register at Moe’s, for crap’s sake! The emissions place I stopped at had a sign saying “all gratuities are appreciated!” As if emissions wasn’t a total butt-raping to begin with!? This country has gone off the deep end with all the tipping. It’s REDONK!
Look before I leap...
May 29th, 2012
5:37 pm
Folks:
In Italy, the service included restaurants tack on a 20% surcharge.
This money does NOT go to the server, it goes directly into the pocket of the establishment owner.
In a sit down restaurant, it is customary (and appreciated) to leave a 10-15% tip.
Zuckerberg may be just plain cheap but if he is claiming ignorance of the customs in Italy, then how is it that the billionaire founder of an internet based company, does not know about Google?
ragman
May 29th, 2012
5:43 pm
Tips are included in European meals. American restaurants charge a premium for the food they sell. The waiters tip should be included in that price.
Look before I leap...
May 29th, 2012
5:45 pm
@Johnny the Economist:
“Waiter hourly wages in the US are going lower and lower BECAUSE customers are leaving such big tips and the employer is using that fact to negotiate below minimum wage salaries.”
Where’d you get your economics degree? Serbia?
The minimum hourly wage is NOT negotiable.
Restaurant owners are required by law to pay a minimum hourly wage: Per the US DOL:
“What is the minimum wage for workers who receive tips?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires payment of at least the federal minimum wage to covered, nonexempt employees. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equals at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee’s tips combined with the employer’s direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Some states have minimum wage laws specific to tipped employees. When an employee is subject to both the federal and state wage laws, the employee is entitled to the provisions which provides the greater benefits. “
Look before I leap...
May 29th, 2012
5:46 pm
@bean
“betcha the place sucked…”
And you know this how?
9 hangin'
May 29th, 2012
5:48 pm
Stereotypes are earned not given. My best friend is Jewish & he’s always joking about how cheap “his people” can be. Another friend runs a really big/popular restaurant in massive warehouse location. This friend says there is/was a certain element that comes into his establishment and treats everyone like doo-doo then complain to no end trying to get a free meal. Funny thing is the word must have gotten back to the “certain element” they will not comp your meal or your dranks thank goodness so now they quite showing up because heaven forbid they actually pay for something with their hard earned money. Errrrrrrythanng in their mommas name….sitting on 24’s in section 8 housing….
jake's mom
May 29th, 2012
6:03 pm
In Europe “Service included” means the tip is included and it’s divided by the wait staff. If you choose, you can leave change on the table…that’s understood by the staff that it’s meant for the bus boy. He (or she) is not included in the “Service Included”
Nate
May 29th, 2012
6:10 pm
The general pattern has been that Mr Facebook always ends up “zucking” everyone he comes into contact with, no surprise here that he gave a big “zuck you” to the waiter.
Facebook’s shares continue to tumble | The Biz Beat
May 29th, 2012
6:31 pm
[...] Zuckerberg and his new bride, Priscilla Chan, continue to honeymoon in [...]
Johnny the Economist
May 29th, 2012
6:59 pm
@Look before I leap
I never said the minimum wage as defined by law is negotiable (federal & state)
The waiter’s hourly wage is negotiated between him and the employer whether it’s $2 or $10/hr
read my comment again:
————–
Waiters in the US are crybabies with a huge sense of entitlement.. Don’t like your wages? Work somewhere else!
Don’t try to emotionally manipulate customers to contribute to “your salary” (guilt trip)
Your salary is a private negotiation between the restaurant and the waiter.
Waiter hourly wages in the US are going lower and lower BECAUSE customers are leaving such big tips and the employer is using that fact to negotiate below minimum wage salaries.
Market rate of waiter hourly wages will only go up when customers stop tipping.. simple economics
RITA
May 29th, 2012
7:02 pm
He is like 25 yrs old. He is still a kid, give him a break.
prime rib
May 29th, 2012
7:04 pm
Another example of BS outweighting Benefit. The economy for most of us is in the toilet with most peoples’ careers and jobs are being lost every hour but story about man not tipping a waiter at a restaurant makes the news. Hey everyone on this post lets all take our spouses out to dinner and pay $40.00 for our meals and not tip the waiter and then we call the ajc and say we had a $40.00 meal with our spouse and didn’t tip the waiter. Lets see if they will print our story. All in favor respond by saying I Had A $40.00 Meal With My Spouse And Didn’t Tip The Waiter AJC!!!
Mark
May 29th, 2012
7:16 pm
Tipping is not the norm in most restaurants in Italy and handling it the way he did was the sign of a sophisticated traveler. Unlike American restaurants, Italians pay a living wage to their workers. Implying that Zuckerberg was parsimonious is a cheap shot that is fun and easy to make, but not accurate and not good journalism. Stories like this, especially seeing the traction it has received, are why journalists are often held in low regard. A good editor would not let this go to print.
Mark H
May 29th, 2012
7:37 pm
Slow news day? If this was a service included facility, as the article says it was, there is no story here. The customs are different there.
Robert
May 29th, 2012
7:40 pm
Calm down, Jacob. Let others comment.
RGB
May 29th, 2012
7:43 pm
Yeah, I guess the folks at the UNITED KINGDOM Telegraph are unfamiliar with tipping in Europe.
You people who love to slam Americans are the same ones who love to slam Georgians. No future in that.
TexasT
May 29th, 2012
7:51 pm
Just proves you can’t buy class.
MonaLisa222
May 29th, 2012
8:03 pm
The service was INCLUDED in the price! Tipping isn’t expected in Italy! Can’t people stop complaining about everything Zuckerberg does? From the engagement ring he bought his bride, to his low-key wedding, to his failure to tip when the tip was already included….the guy can’t win. Give him a break!
prezbird
May 29th, 2012
8:37 pm
it says “Service Included”. there is no need to pay extra even if its a tip no matter how rich you are. just because you have money and you’re known for it doesnt give you a reason to squander. this is a gr8 example for others who preach “generosity” especially in this volatile economy
Culturally sensitive
May 29th, 2012
9:16 pm
Well done Mark: It is rude to tip in Italy (like in most countries): you’re insulting the person as you’re implying that he/she needs your charity, when instead they have pride in what they do.
Ron burgundy
May 29th, 2012
9:42 pm
I like to tip with old Showbiz Pizza tokens and leave the Europeans a note saying “if you ever get to the states the next video game is on me”
Ron burgundy
May 29th, 2012
9:43 pm
Culturally sensitive sounds like he pees sitting down
Ron burgundy
May 29th, 2012
9:44 pm
Most europeans appreciate a nice flash of the junk over a couple declining euros
maria111
May 29th, 2012
9:52 pm
the author, george mathis is an idiot. has he ever been to Rome? does he understand “service included? What a pile of crap that article is. mathis is just like obama, if you have money you are a target!
Ron burgundy
May 29th, 2012
9:54 pm
Those waiters probably rubbed there taints on the food anyway. Europeans r very jealous of us. It’s why they like Obama
Ron burgundy
May 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
He was probably getting a rub and tub from his wife and tipping slipped his mond
Antonio
May 30th, 2012
12:51 am
Not surprised Zuckerberg is too cheap to leave a tip. (And while it is true that in Italy you do leave a lesser tip than we do in America – something like 3-5% – it IS appropriate to leave something, and Italians appreciate it very much. Those who say otherwise are either ignorant or self-serving.) Zuckerberg is simply an immature punk who has hoodwinked millions of suckers to give their personal information away so that Zuckerberg can make money off it.
Marjorie
May 30th, 2012
7:19 am
I gave up on Facebook when Zuckerberg changed the rules about sharing members’ personal and private information to third parties. I also am not AT ALL interested in people’s toilet habits or what candybar they happen to be nibbling at the moment. I rarely used Facebook and found that my family and friends appreciated the letters and cards I began MAILING, and I realized I was helping to keep United States postal workers employed. Write a letter (by hand) and see how much it is enjoyed by your circle.
KBofATL
May 30th, 2012
7:23 am
Come si dice, ummm…Who care’s?
Alfreda
May 30th, 2012
10:06 am
Poor choice of words in the headline. “Stiffing a waiter” means leaving a restaurant without paying the bill, leaving the waiter to make up the cost of your tab out of his own money. Zuckerberg didn’t do that, did he? If service is included on your bill, why would you tip more unless you had exceptional service, especially on a $40 tab?
Pinocchio
May 30th, 2012
12:05 pm
This is a non-story about nothing aimed at air heads.
Sam the Sham
May 30th, 2012
3:51 pm
I realized not too long ago that wait staff expects tips based on the total bill, even though 7% of that is Uncle Sams honorarium. I now base my tip on the bill BEFORE taxes, and the quality of the service. Remember, it’s “gratitude” for a job well done; not an entitlement because you took a crappy job.
Bill
May 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
What an A..hole!!!
Kat
May 30th, 2012
4:19 pm
If it said “service included,” why expect an additional tip? It’s kind of like the 18%(!) gratuity with room service; do they really expect more?
Mooch
May 30th, 2012
4:29 pm
Zuckerberg better like the taste of boogers, cause his food is about to be full of them.
Don Abernethy
May 30th, 2012
4:38 pm
Spit on his food before bringing it out . That usually sends the message.
googleit
May 30th, 2012
4:54 pm
I couldn’t care less about what Zuckerberg does or how rich he is, but you don’t tip in Italy. Some say foreigners are creating an expectation of tips, which most of us pay in service charges already in the bill, as others have stated. Don’t be a dumb tourist.
art
May 30th, 2012
6:17 pm
You guys are approaching this topic as if we’re all in the same league with Marky Z. Hello!! FYI!! He’s worth many BILLIONS of dollars, and you’re NOT!!! The standards are NOT the same!!! He could buy Italy!!! He can No Longer be some late-20’s, snot-nosed twit who orders late-night pizza from Domino’s. The public, the IPO, the disappointed shareholders, have anointed him a Billionaire and now he must step-up to the plate. He should be generous particularly with the “little people” , and that would be all of you’all’s, myself included, in whatever country he’s in… The man has more money than anyone could ever spend in a lifetime…
Sandy
May 31st, 2012
9:30 am
Diners in Europe have grown up with the service charge included in the food bill. This IS the tip. Some diners will leave a small amount of change in addition to the included service charge but it’s not necessary. Waiters in Europe do NOT work for below minimum wage as they do in the USA. They are paid a good salary in Europe and the service charge which is usually 15% makes it not necessary to depend on tips for their income. When Europeans come to the USA they mistakenly belive we have the same system as in Europe and frequently do not leave a tip. So Zuckerberg was doing what everyone else in Europe does so I don’t see anything wrong with his actions.
Wite&Rite
May 31st, 2012
11:12 am
Way to go Zuck! Show um you still down to earth like the rest of us. You know some people here think you should have given $500 tip for a $2 latte. Hum, thats kinda like what the US gov’t is doing for old folks who never worked; SS, medicare, food stamps and housing. just survive until 65 and you got it made. Ron Paul for pres!
Nat
May 31st, 2012
11:19 am
YOU DON’T TIP IN ITALY!! only stupid Americans who know nothing about the country tip. While you can leave your change behind, it is not customary to tip. That is why wait staffs are paid a full wage.
Baltisraul
June 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
The “Ugly American” has arrived in Italy. What a putz!!!!!!!!!!
51488
June 3rd, 2012
9:51 am
the name the nose and the yellow say it all TJB
antizog
June 3rd, 2012
9:52 am
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